Mortician&#39;s appliance



Filed May lO, 1938 Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STA-TES MORTICIANS APPLIANCE Robert E. Marquardt, Oshkosh, Wis.

Application May 10, 1938, serial No. 207,054

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in morticians appliances, and has as an object to provide a convenient device for holding the feet of a corpse in a desired position during embalming.

If unrestrained, the feet of a corpse tend to drop down or forwardly before rigor mortis sets in, and where this occurs, it raises the legs at the knee. This is of course objectionable, and it is therefore necessary to hold the feet of the lf) corpse against dropping forwardly. The present invention provides an exceptionally convenient appliance for effecting this purpose.

It is also often necessary to support the feet of the body in an elevated position to insure T5 proper drainage preparatory to embalming, and` this invention therefore has as a further object to provide an appliance which is readily adjustable to hold the feet of a corpse in a raised position for this purpose.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Y Figure 1 is a perspective view of an appliance constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through Figure 1 on the plane of the line 2-2; and

Figure 3 is a back view showing part of the appliance, to illustrate particularly the manner in which the foot supports are adjustably mounted.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral v5 designates a supporting stand or pedestal, of any suitable construction, having spaced rigid uprights 6. Slidably but nonrotatably mounted on each upright 6 is a bracket 'I capable of being secured at any elevation by a clamping screw 8. The brackets 'l are directed toward each other and have longitudinal slots 9 through which clamping screws I0 pass.

These clamping screws adjustably secure slipper-like foot supports II to the brackets 1. The slots 9 permit the foot supports to be adjusted toward and from each other, as is readily apparent; and to hold the foot supports in any adjusted position of angularity, their surfaces which engage the brackets are preferably serrated, as at I2.

As stated, the foot supports are substantially slipper-like and have side walls I3 which continue around the heel portions to receive and hold the foot, and to secure the same against displacement, these side walls are provided with straps I4 adapted to be tightened down over the feet, as well be readily apparent.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be readily apparent that this invention provides an exceptionally convenient appliance for morticians, and that it makes possible quickly securing the feet of a corpse in the proper position for embalming, and also is especially advantageous in conditions Where the legs of the corpse must be supported in an elevated position preparatory to embalming.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a device of the character described: a supporting pedestal having spaced rigid uprights integral therewith; slipper-like foot supports, each adapted to receive and support the foot of a corpse; and means for readily adjustably mounting one of said foot supports on each of the uprights. Y

2. A device for supporting and holding the feet of a corpse in a fixed substantially vertical position comprising: a supporting pedestal having spaced rigid uprights integral therewith; a pair of slipper-like foot supports, each adapted to receive one foot of a corpse; and means adjustably mounting one foot support on each of the uprights.

3. A device for supporting and holding the feet of a corpse in a predetermined position comprising: a supporting pedestal having spaced uprights; brackets slidably mounted on the uprights oi said supports and adapted to be readily adjustably secured in any position along the height thereof; a pair of foot supports carried by the brackets, each adapted to hold one foot of a corpse; and means adjustably mounting one foot support on each of said brackets.

4. A device of the character described comprising: a supporting pedestal having spaced rigid uprights; brackets slidably mounted on said uprights and securable in any of a number of positions along the height of the uprights; and slipper-like foot supports adjustably carried by said brackets, the adjustable connections of said foot supports with the brackets enabling free sliding movement of the foot supports toward and from each other.

5. A device of the character described comprising: a supporting pedestal having spaced rigid vertical uprights; a bracket slidably but nonrotatably mo-unted on each of said vertical uprights and securable in any of a number of p0- sitions along the height thereof; a slipper-like foot support associated with each of said brackets; and a single adjustable connection between one of said` foot supports and each of the brackets enabling sliding movement of the foot supports toward and from each other and enabling angular adjustment thereof with respect to the vertical uprights.

6. A device of the character described cornprising: a supporting pedestal having spaced rigid vertical uprights; slipper-like foot supports each adapted to hold one foot of a corpse; a single bracket slidably but nonrotatably carried by each of Said uprights and securable at any of a number of positions along the height of the uprights; and a single connection between one of said foot supports and each of the brackets whereby the foot supports are selectively adjustable in a plane substantially passing through the uprights to any position with respect to the uprights.

ROBERT E. MARQUARDT. 

